The 2013 draws 6.15 complaints per run and the 2016 1, a 6.2-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 6 years of age, so 90.4% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Engine, with 141 complaints, typically at 6.3 years.
Scion FR-S years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 | 3 | yes | |
| 2015 | 11 | 11 | yes | |
| 2014 | 5 | 3 | yes | |
| 2013 | 160 | 26 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2013 FR-S asks a median $10,994, against $6,900 for a 2014, the next model year: 59% more, so the price shows no discount for its complaint record.
Among the 4 Scion FR-S years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2013, 2014, 2015; the three worth hunting are 2016, 2015, 2014.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 4.5% | covered | |
| 1 year | 7.9% | covered | |
| 2 years | 9.6% | covered | |
| 3 years | 15.8% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 19.2% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 24.3% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 65.5% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 82.5% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 88.7% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 93.2% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 96% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 97.2% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 99.4% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 9.6% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 90.4% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 93% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Scion FR-S, the early trouble is Service Brakes and Seat Belts — reported at around 3.7 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Engine at 6.3 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6.3 yrs | 1 | 1 | |
| Power Train | 4.7 yrs | — | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4.6 yrs | — | — | |
| Steering | 6.4 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 5.6 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 9.6 yrs | — | — | |
| Service Brakes | 3.7 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Seat Belts | 2.3 yrs | — | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the FR-S's vehicle class. Per production run, the Porsche 911 draws 1.48 and the Mini Cooper 5.55, against 4.16 for the FR-S.
| Same class as the FR-S | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche 911 | 287 | 1981–2026 | |
| Mini Cooper | 33 | 2002–2010 | |
| Toyota 86 | 5 | 2017–2020 | |
| Toyota GR86 | 4 | 2022–2026 | |
| Subaru BRZ | 13 | 2013–2026 | |
| Fiat 500 | 33 | 2012–2019 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Scion FR-S reliable?
By complaints per production run it is worse than typical: 4.16 against 3.73 for the average car, and in the middle of its class rivals.
Which FR-S years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2013, 2014, 2015. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2016, 2015, 2014. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do FR-S problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 6 years of age. The most reported system is Engine, typically at 6.3 years, followed by Power Train.
Will the warranty cover FR-S problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 9.6% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 93% of the complaints here.
Is the FR-S more reliable than the Porsche 911?
No: 4.16 complaints per production run for the FR-S against 1.48 for the Porsche 911.
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